Victim dies after Saturday night shooting in Mattapan

A man was shot and killed Saturday night in Mattapan, leaving his friends in mourning the day after his death and business owners with a slight feeling of unease.

The victim was shot at Blue Hill Avenue and Evelyn Street around 8:13 p.m Saturday, according to Boston Police. After officers arrived at the scene, they saw “a male victim suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound,” according to the Boston Police website.

The victim was taken to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:36 p.m., police said.

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Authorities do not have any description of the suspect or suspects, Boston police spokeswoman officer Nicole Grant, said Sunday. Grant said she could not provide any other details on the shooting, including the name or age of the victim.

The investigation Saturday night appeared to center around the Ortiz Grocery store on Blue Hill Avenue near Fessenden Street, where officers canvassed with flashlights.

Though officials did not release the victim’s identity, a group of young people who knew him made sure to commemorate his life Sunday.

Outside P & R Ice Cream on Blue Hill Avenue, about a half-dozen young men and women huddled together as the sun set Sunday, lighting white candles and perching a red carnation against the building’s wall.

Mohammed Rahman, who owns Ortiz Grocery, said Sunday that police asked for surveillance footage from the cameras he has outside the store, but noted that he didn’t know anything else.

Many who own businesses or work along Blue Hill Avenue said they did not hear or see anything Saturday night until police arrived.

Theresa Atkinson, who works at Essential Body Herbs, said her uncle rushed outside Saturday night when he heard ambulance sirens and saw the victim being taken away on a stretcher.

“My uncle said he didn’t seem too responsive,” Atkinson said.

Police closed off the block, requiring some who work on Blue Hill Avenue to stay barricaded inside their stores for hours.

“I tried to go outside but police told me I had to stay here,” said Alan Mohammed, who works at Lili’s Market. “It was about two hours before I could leave.”

Atkinson said her uncle had to leave his car and get a ride home because the area was still blocked by police when he closed his store.

Some on the block said the shooting, while shocking, was not a surprise.

“It happens around here often, I’m sad to say,” said Esteban Gomez, who works at a nearby barber shop. “I wish there were more recreational activity near here. These kids need a place to play.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. Individuals who wish to provide information anonymously can call police at 1-800-494-8477 or text ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).